Definition of Her majesty's representative at ascot

Until 1901, the position was held by the Master of the Buckhounds. Since then, the incumbents nominatim were:

• 1901–1934: Victor Spencer, 3rd Baron Churchill (1st Viscount Churchill from 1902)
• 1934–1945: Gavin Hamilton, 2nd Baron Hamilton of Dalzell, KT
• 1945–1972: Bernard Fitzalan-Howard, 16th Duke of Norfolk, KG GCVO GBE PC
• 1972–1984: Lieutenant-Colonel John Nevill, 5th Marquess of Abergavenny, KG OBE
• 1984–1997: Colonel Sir Piers Bengough, KCVO OBE DL
• 1997–present:  Peregrine Cavendish, Marquess of Hartington (12th Duke of Devonshire from 2004)